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Astros make two trades before today's 3 p.m. deadline

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Press Release |

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have completed two trades today in advance of the 3 p.m. CT trading deadline. In a deal with the Kansas City Royals, the Astros acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Kyle Smith in exchange for outfielder Justin Maxwell. In a separate deal with the Baltimore Orioles, the Astros acquired left-handed pitcher Josh Hader, outfielder L.J. Hoes, and a 2014 competitive balance pick (A) in exchange for right-handed pitcher Bud Norris and international pool space. The announcements were made by Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow.

Luhnow will be made available to season credentialed media today at 5 p.m. CT in the 5th floor lobby of Union Station.

Hoes will join the Major League club today in Baltimore and is in tonight's starting lineup for the Astros. An additional roster move will be made tomorrow.

Smith, 20, has gone 5-4 with a 2.85 ERA (33ER/104.1IP) in 19 starts with Class A Wilmington this season, in what is his second professional campaign. Smith has limited his opponents to a .238 batting average and has 96 strikeouts in his 104.1 innings pitched. He is currently ranked by MLB.com as the Royals No. 11 prospect. Heading into the season, Smith was ranked by Baseball America as the Royals No. 12 prospect. He was originally a fourth-round pick by Kansas City in the June 2011 Draft out of Santaluces High School in Florida.

Hader, 19, owns a 2.65 ERA (25ER/85IP) in 17 games for Class A Delmarva this season. The 6'3" lefty has allowed just a .215 opponent's batting average and has 79 strikeouts in 85.0 innings pitched. Hader was ranked by MLB.com as the No. 5 prospect in Baltimore's system. He was originally a 19th round selection in the June 2012 Draft.

Hoes, 23, who was recalled by the Orioles on Sunday, hit .304 (111x365) with 25 doubles, 40 RBI and a .406 on-base percentage in 99 games for Triple A Norfolk this season. He ranks third in the International League in on-base percentage and sixth in walks (58). Hoes is ranked by MLB.com as the Orioles No. 7 prospect and was named their No. 6 prospect by Baseball America at the beginning of the season. Hoes was originally a third-round pick by Baltimore in the June 2008 Draft.

Maxwell, 29, hit .241 (33x137) with 10 doubles, two homers and eight RBI in 40 games for the Astros this season. The club's Opening Day center fielder this season, Maxwell was acquired by Houston last year on a waiver claim from the New York Yankees on April 8, 2012.

Norris, 28, was 6-9 with a 3.93 ERA (55ER/126IP) in 21 starts for the Astros this season. He was the club's Opening Day starter, in what was his fifth Major League season. Norris has appeared in 119 games with Houston since breaking into the Majors in 2009.